Method and apparatus for connecting multiple coaxial cables to a printed circuit board in a compact

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables to a printed circuit board in a compact connector. The apparatus is generally comprised of a flexible carrier, means for attaching the cable to the flexible carrier, a conductive base plate and a rigid beam providing pressure such that the electrical contact between the coaxial cable and the printed circuit board is maintained. The method generally comprises the steps of stripping the coaxial cables, bonding the coaxial cable to a flexible carrier, positioning the coaxial cables over traces of a printed circuit board providing pressure such that electrical contact is maintained between the cables and the printed circuit board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to coaxial cables and to methodsand devices for connecting coaxial cables to other elements. Moreparticularly, it relates to a method and apparatus for connecting aplurality of coaxial cables to a printed circuit board, or to a printedwiring board, using a compact connector.

[0002] There are many situations and applications where it is necessaryto connect a multicoaxial cable comprised of a large number of smallcoaxial elements to the traces of a printed circuit board (PCB) or to aprinted wiring board (PWB). Generally, the small coaxial elements needto be attached, detached and reattached from the PCB or PWB ratherfrequently. When doing so, a large number of the smaller elements mustmate up with the PCB or PWB in what is typically a very small location.

[0003] In the experience of these inventors, the medical field also hasa peculiar need for a method and apparatus for connecting multiplecoaxial cables to a PCB in a compact space. Specifically, the scan headof a trans-esophageal echocardiac probe requires a plurality of smallcoaxial elements to be connected to a PCB, or to a PWB, in a detachablemanner but in a very confined space. In a mechanism such as the scanhead of a trans-esophageal echocardiac probe, anywhere between 10 and100 coaxial connections are required. Generally, each coaxial cable israted between 40 and 44 AWG with capacitance in the range of 50 to 100pF/m. Current probes offer one-dimensional signal resolution. In thefuture, probes capable of two dimensional imaging may require in excessof 1000 coaxial cables to be terminated. Accordingly, it is important tonote that the method and apparatus of the present invention encompassesmore than just a single connection. It could provide for a series ofconnections in which perhaps 1000 coaxes are first funneled into 100coaxes and the 100 coaxes are then funneled into 10 coaxes.

[0004] The center of a coaxial cable carries a signal, but it is not theonly part that carries a signal since the shielding of the coaxial cableis also often attached to the PCB. However, and despite this additionalfunctionality, the carrier to which the coaxes are bound is very smallso that it does not add significantly to the size of the overall bundleof coaxes. Small size of the invention is extremely important as thecable bundle must be able to be pulled through an endoscopic shaft,which typically has an internal diameter on the order of 6 millimeters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables to aprinted circuit board without the need for an additional connectorelement. It is also an object of the present invention to provide amethod and apparatus for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables thatis easily disassembled and reassembled. Yet another object of thepresent invention is to provide a method and apparatus for connecting aplurality of such cables in a very compact location. Yet another objectthe present invention is to provide a method and apparatus forconnecting the cables that does not require the use of cement or anyother type of bonding media.

[0006] The method and apparatus of the present invention meets theseobjects. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides fora plurality of stripped coaxial cables bonded to a flexible carrier. Themethod and apparatus further provides for a flexible carrier that ispositioned with an array of stripped coaxial cables facing towards theprinted circuit board using alignment pins. The method and apparatusthen provides for a first rigid element and a second rigid element,between which the printed circuit board and the flexible carrier arepressed. In this manner, contact between the flexible carrier and theprinted circuit board is obtained. The method and apparatus of thepresent invention may also provide for an elastic element under theprinted circuit board that provides for a predictable contact force. Inthe alternative, the method and apparatus may provide for bonding thecable array directly to one of the rigid elements, which would eliminatethe need for the flexible carrier but would require that flexibleelement to be fabricated from nonconducting material. The method andapparatus further provides for connecting the shields of the coaxialcables together by soldering them to a conductive area of the flexiblecarrier. The foregoing and other features of the method and apparatus ofthe present invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptionthat follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top, front and left side perspective view of theapparatus employed in the method of the present invention FIG. 2 is atop, front and left side perspective view of one embodiment of the baseplate and printed circuit board used in the method and apparatus of thepresent invention.

[0008]FIG. 3A is a top, front and left side perspective view of aparallel array of coaxial cables as they are mounted on a flexiblecarrier.

[0009]FIG. 3B is an enlarged left side elevational view of the cable andthe flexible carrier shown in FIG. 3A.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a top, front and left side perspective view of anotherembodiment of the present invention in which a shield contact beam isvisible.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a top, front and left side perspective view of yetanother embodiment of the present invention wherein the cables arebonded directly to the beam.

[0012]FIG. 6 is an enlarged left side elevational view of anotherembodiment of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following detailed description is intended to describe thepreferred embodiments that are depicted in the various figures referredto above. It is to be understood, however, that changes could be made tothat which is specifically described and shown that would still fallwithin the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numberedelements refer to like elements throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates apreferred embodiment of the apparatus employed in conjunction with themethod of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 1, theapparatus and method of the present invention provides for a completeconnection package. What is not seen is that the connection is verysmall. Also, the method and apparatus of the present invention isutilized with an array of parallel coaxial cables, generally identified10, each of which is already present in the device for which thisinvention is intended. A base plate 30 is also typically an existingpart of the apparatus for which the present invention is used. Asalready stated, the apparatus used with the present method is extremelysmall and uses few parts. In particular, the part secured to the coaxialcables (the flexible carrier) adds very little to the coaxial cablesthemselves, and therefore this part can be assembled before the coaxialcables are pulled through a narrow endoscope. The rest of the invention,which is also small, can be assembled after the cables have been pulledthrough the endoscope.

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3B, that figure shows a left sideelevational view of the coaxial cable array 10 and the flexible carrier,generally identified 20, that is employed in the present invention. Asshown, four distinct layers in each coaxial cable 10 can be observed.First, the center conductor 11 of the coaxial cable 10 is fabricated ofan electrically conductive material and is provided to conductelectrical signals. Surrounding the conductive center 11 of the coaxialcable 10 is an inner conductor insulator, or conductor jacket, 12. Theconductor jacket 12 is fabricated from an electrically nonconductivematerial and is, in turn, surrounded by a shield 13. The shield 13 isgenerally fabricated from electrically conductive material. The outerprotective jacket 14 of the coaxial cable 10 surrounds the shield 13 andis also electrically nonconductive.

[0016] Methods for stripping coaxial cables 10 are plentiful and wellknown in the art. Nearly any of these methods could be used strip thecoaxial cables 10 of the present invention such that the cables 10 endup resembling those as illustrated in FIG. 3A. After the coaxial cables10 are stripped, they are connected to a flexible carrier 20 as shown inFIG. 3A. The flexible carrier 20 is generally rectangular in shape andvery thin. The shield 13 of the coaxial cable 10 is connected directlyto the flexible carrier 20. See FIG. 3B. The conductive layer 21 of theflexible carrier 20 is generally a copper foil, although other types ofconductive layers 21 could be used. On the conductive layer 21 is a muchsmaller adhesive layer 23. The adhesive layer 23 is typically polyimidefoil, a flexible film for electrical insulation. The adhesive layer 23is used to attach the center conductor 11 of the coaxial cable 10 to theflexible carrier 20. The adhesive layer 23 used to connect the centerconductor 11 to the flexible carrier 20 is required to be very thin,normally between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. The flexible carrier 20 also has atleast one positioning aperture 25, each of which corresponds to acomplementary positioning pin 33 of the base plate 30. See FIG. 2.

[0017] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention theflexible carrier 20 may also be attached to the coaxial cables 10through the shield 13. The shield 13 of the coaxial cables 10 is aconductive material as is the conductive layer 21 of the flexiblecarrier 20. See FIG. 3B. The shield 13 is normally attached to theflexible carrier 20 using solder, although any electrically conductivemeans for attaching the shield 13 of the coaxial cable 10 to theflexible carrier 20 would work. However, the connection 24 need not beelectrically conductive. When assembled and connected as shown in FIG.4, the shields 13 of the coaxial cables 10 are connected to a beam 50.The beam 50 is in turn connected to the base plate 30. The base plate 30is attached to the back side of the PCB 40, which permits signalcarriage on both the front and back sides of the PCB 40.

[0018] Referring again to FIG. 1, the method and apparatus of thepresent invention provides for a rigid base plate 30. The base plate 30is generally rectangular and similar in size, but not in thickness, tothe PCB 40, which will be discussed later in this detailed description.This configuration results in formation of a first rectangular portion34 and a second rectangular side portion 35 in addition to the centralopen channel 31 running longitudinally through the base plate 30. Thebase plate 30 is typically fabricated from an electrically conductivematerial.

[0019] The center channel 31 of the base plate 30 is designed to hold anelastic element 32 within it. The elastic element 32 itself is designedto protrude slightly upwardly from the upper horizontal surface of thebase plate 30 such that the elastic element 32 provides continuousupward pressure on the PCB 40.

[0020] The PCB 40 is typically flexible and has a set of parallel metaltraces 41 along its top and a set of metal traces (not shown) along itsbottom. The metal traces 41 along the top of the PCB 40 are designed tocontact the center conductors 11 of each of the coaxial cables 10. Themetal traces (not shown) on the bottom of the PCB 40 are designed toconduct electrical signals to the base plate 30, which receiveselectronic signals from the shield 13. The PCB 40 is rigidly mounted onthe base plate 30 and features a plurality of apertures 42 similar tothe flexible carrier 20 such that the PCB 40 is positioned exactly overthe array of coaxial cables 10 so as to make the best electrical contactwith the coaxial cables 10 as is possible.

[0021] The present invention also employs three specific methods offastening the individual coaxial cables 10 to the flexible carrier 20.For example, FIG. 3B shows a conductive layer 21, typically of copperfoil, that covers the entire flexible carrier 20. The conductive layer21 also features a much smaller insulating layer 22, typicallyfabricated from a polyimide foil. The insulating layer 22 covers thepart of the flexible carrier 20 that is pressed into the PCB 40, asshown in FIG. 4 including the positioning holes 25. The centerconductors 11 of the cables 10 are bonded to the insulating layer 22using adhesive, glue, or tape. A tool, called a “rake” (not shown), isnormally used to regulate the spacing and orientation of the coaxialcables 10 on the flexible carrier 20. In practice, the insulating layer22 extends well past the center connectors 11 and under the conductorjackets 12. The insulating layer 22 terminates between the conductorjacket 12 and the shield 13. The shields 13 are generally soldered tothe conducting layer 21, thereby permitting an electrical continuumbetween the flexible carrier 20 and the rigid beam 50 or the shieldcontact beam 60. See FIG. 4. Both the rigid beam 50 and the shieldcontact beam 60 are connected to the PCB 40, normally by bolts throughbase plate 30 and the PCB 40. Therefore, this arrangement permits theexchange of a signal from the center conductor 11 on one side of the PCB40 and a second electrical signal on the other side of the PCB 40.

[0022] The second method of fastening the coaxial cables 10 to the PCB40 involves bonding the coaxial cables 10 to the flexible carrier 21using an adhesive 23, although this step is not required to carry outthe method of the present invention. For example, the outer jackets 14of the coaxial cables 10 need not be secured to the flexible carrier 20so long as the shield 13 and center conductor 11 are connected to thePCB 40.

[0023] In other situations, the insulating layer 23 may be eliminatedaltogether and its function replaced by an adhesive extending over thesame area of the insulating layer that it replaces. In this case, thecarrier is typically a copper foil with an adhesive spread over it.Normally, the adhesive used will be heat activated. In this manner, theadhesive will not prevent the flexible carrier 20 and coaxial cables 10from being separate from the PCB 40.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the flexiblecarrier 20 has only a single insulating layer 23 and both the centerconductor 11 and the shield 13 of the coaxial cables 10 are bonded tothe flexible carrier 20 with adhesive. If this embodiment of theflexible carrier 20 is used, then the shields 13 of the coaxial cables10 must be connected to the carrier 20 using an additional conductiveelement, for example, the second beam 60 as shown in FIG. 4. Typically,this second beam, or shield contact beam, 60 would press the shields 13and flexible carrier against the first beam 50. The shield contact beam60 would then be connected to the first beam 50 using screws, or someother means for precise attachment such that good contact is maintained.

[0025] The method and apparatus of the present invention also providesfor a clamshell beam and base plate assembly, generally identified 70.As shown in FIG. 6, wherein the base of the assembly 70 resembles thebase plate 30 of other embodiments, the assembly 70 has first and secondrectangular portions 71, 74, an elastic element 73 and a central channel72. However, it differs in that it offers a vertical member 75 thatprovides for an overhanging clamshell member 76. This configurationeliminates the need for the shield contact beam 60 as shown in FIG. 4 byproviding the clamshell member 76. The rigid beam 50, the flexiblecarrier 20 and the coaxial cables 10 are then pressed into the clamshellassembly 70 and secured. The rigid beam 50 may be secured through use ofelastic elements around the rigid beam 50 and the clamshell assembly 70,as noted previously, or the rigid beam 50 and clamshell beam and baseplate assembly 70 may provide for an area without coaxial cables,perhaps on the periphery of the rigid beam and clamshell assembly 70such that the rigid beam 50 and the clamshell assembly 70 may be boltedtogether. In either case, it is important to provide some means forapplying pressure to keep the coaxial cables 10 in contact with the PCB40.

[0026] In application, the method and apparatus of the present inventionrequires placement of the flexible carrier 20 on the PCB 40 with thecoaxial cables 10 facing downwardly. The positioning pin 33 on the baseplate 30 and the positioning aperture 25 in the flexible carrier 20 arealigned thereby accurately positioning the flexible carrier 20 on thePCB 40.

[0027] Generally, the flexible carrier 20 and the PCB 40 are locked intoplace using a first rigid beam 50. The first rigid beam 50 is lockedinto place on the base plate 30 using screws or some other means ofattachment (not shown). The screws may be mounted through an extensionof the beam 50 so that they do not interfere with the contact pointsalong the array of coaxial cables 10. The rigid beam 50 presses thecenter conductor 11 portions of the coaxial cables 10 down onto the PCB40. The distance between the rigid beam 50 and the base plate 30 istypically fixed by design to avoid damage to the delicate centerconductors 11. Typically, this is accomplished by use of a washer of agiven thickness, thereby increasing pressure on the rigid beam 50towards the base plate 30 which will not reduce the design clearance anddamage the coaxial conductors 11.

[0028] The base plate 30 also generally provides for an elastic element32 acting on the PCB 40 from the base plate 30 in order to ensure thatsuitable pressure is applied and maintained on the PCB 40 towards thecenter conductors 11 of the coaxial cables 10. Rubber is frequentlychosen for this elastic element 32 so that pressure is maintainedconstant over time. It is also possible to use an elastic element 32 inthe rigid beam 50 over the flexible carrier 20 instead of, or inaddition to, the illustrated elastic element 32 to provide pressure onthe flexible carrier 20 so that it remains in contact with the PCB 40.

[0029]FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of the device of thepresent invention. As can be seen from FIG. 5, this embodiment does awaywith the flexible carrier 20 entirely. In this embodiment, the centerconductor 11 of the coaxial cables 10 is bonded directly to the rigidbeam 50. In this embodiment, the rigid beam 50 is fabricated from anelectrically nonconductive material.

[0030] The present invention includes a method for attaching theindividual coaxial cables 10 to their respective contact points andinvolves the following steps. First, a plurality of coaxial cables 10are stripped to reveal the shield 13, center conductor jackets 12 andcenter conductors 11. The outer jacket 14 is completely removed fromthis stripped area. See FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0031] Second, the center conductors 11 are bonded to a flexible carrier20. Generally, the bonding is permanent. The center conductors 11 arenot electrically connected to the flexible carrier 20 and the bondingcan employ a stiff or flexible elastic material such as glue or tape.The distance between the coaxial cables is typically 0.3 mm to 0.7 mmcenter to center.

[0032] Third, the flexible connector 20 is positioned on the PCB 40. Theflexible connector 20 typically has an aperture 25 that permits thepassage of a pin 33 on the base plate 30 therethrough. This pin 33ensures that the flexible connector 20 is accurately placed such thatthe coaxial cables 10 align with the traces 41 of the PCB 40. See FIG.2. The PCB 40 is then attached to and rests on a rigid base plate 30which is typically conductive and made of metal. The PCB 40 has anaperture 42 that admits passage of the pin 33 therethrough.

[0033] Electrical contact is established by placing the flexible carrier20 on the PCB 40 with the coaxial cables 10 facing downwardly. Thepositioning apertures 25, 42 of both the flexible carrier 20 and the PCB40, respectively, are lined up for accurate placement at this stage.Contact is maintained by continuous pressure applied by mounting a rigidbeam 50 over the flexible carrier 20. Pressure is normally applied usinga plurality of screws to hold the rigid beam 50 over the flexiblecarrier 20. In this manner, the center conductors 11 of the cables 10are pressed down continuously onto the traces of the PCB 40. The methodand apparatus of the present invention may provide for a spacer of somesort between the PCB 40 and the flexible carrier 20 such that thedelicate inner conductors 11 of the coaxial cables 10 are not damagedduring assembly. See FIG. 1.

[0034] The method and apparatus of the present invention may alsoprovide for an elastic element 32 acting on the PCB 40. See FIG. 2. Theelastic element 32 is normally made of a resilient rubber and is locatedbetween the PCB 40 and the base plate 30 such that the elastic element32 applies continuous upward pressure on the PCB 40 and maintains goodelectrical contact.

[0035] The method and apparatus of the present invention may alsoprovide for use of yet another elastic element instead of or in additionto the rigid beam 50 to secure the flexible connector 20 to the PCB 40.For example, the method and apparatus of the present invention couldemploy an elastic band (not shown) around the base plate 30 and theflexible carrier 20 that prevent relative motion between the twomembers. An additional advantage of using an elastic band is that itreduces the time it takes to connect or disconnect the coaxial cables10.

[0036] The method of the present invention provides three differentmethods for terminating the shields 13 on the PCB 40. One method isdisplayed in FIG. 3A and shows the flexible carrier 20 consisting of twolayers, a conductive layer 21 and an insulating layer 22, typically ofpolyimide foil. The method of the present invention provides for a rake,or some other tool, that obtains regular spacing of the coaxial cables10 for accurately bonding the center conductors 11 to the insulatinglayer 22 using an adhesive 23. An alternative to this method is toeliminate the insulating layer 23 and replace it with adhesive extendingover the same area. In this case the carrier 20 is typically a copperfoil with an adhesive covering.

[0037] In summary, the present invention provides a method and anapparatus for connecting an array of multiple coaxial cables 10 to a PCB40 in a compact connector comprising the steps of

[0038] stripping a coaxial cable 10 to expose the shield 13, conductorjacket 12 and inner conductors 11,

[0039] bonding the shield 13 of the coaxial cables 10 to a flexiblecarrier 20 using an adhesive,

[0040] positioning the center connectors 11 of the coaxial cables 10 onthe top side traces 41 of the PCB 40,

[0041] positioning the bottom traces 42 of the PCB 40 in alignment withthe conductive elements on the base 30,

[0042] providing a pair of nonconductive rigid elements 50, 60 on top ofthe flexible carrier 20 and underneath the printed circuit board 40 suchthat when the upper rigid element 60 is connected to the lower rigidelement 50 via a screw, or some other mean of connection, they may betightened pressed together, and

[0043] providing an elastic element 32 underneath the PCB 40 to create apredictable contact force. The method and apparatus of the presentinvention provides that, in alternative embodiments, the centerconnectors 11 of the coaxial cables 10 are connected to the traces 41both with and without the use of a flexible carrier 20. Also, the outerjackets 14 of the coaxial cable 10 may be bonded to the flexible carrier20, should a flexible carrier 20 be required.

[0044] Parts List

[0045]10 coaxial cable

[0046]11 center conductor of coaxial cable

[0047]12 center conductor jacket

[0048]13 shield

[0049]14 outer jacket of coaxial cable

[0050]20 flexible carrier

[0051]21 conductive layer of flexible carrier

[0052]22 insulating layer of flexible carrier

[0053]23 adhesive layer over the conductive layer

[0054]24 solder bead connecting coaxial shield and conductive layer offlexible carrier

[0055]25 example of a positioning aperture

[0056]30 base plate

[0057]31 center valley in base plate

[0058]32 elastic element

[0059]33 positioning pin

[0060]34 first rectangular side of base plate

[0061]35 second rectangular side of base plate

[0062]40 printed circuit board (PCB)

[0063]41 electrically conductive traces on the PCB

[0064]42 positioning aperture in PCB

[0065]50 rigid beam

[0066]60 shield contact, or second beam

[0067]70 clamshell beam and base plate assembly

[0068]71 first rectangular side of the base

[0069]72 center valley area of base

[0070]73 elastic element

[0071]74 second rectangular side of the base

[0072]75 vertical connector

[0073]76 clamshell top

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for connecting one or more coaxialcables to a printed circuit board comprising the steps of stripping oneor more coaxial cables, providing a flexible carrier, attaching each ofthe one or more of the coaxial cables to the flexible carrier using anadhesive, providing a conductive base plate having a positioning pin,providing a printed circuit board, mounting the printed circuit boardover the base plate, and attaching the flexible carrier to the printedcircuit board.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said coaxial cablestripping step includes the steps of stripping the one or more coaxialcables and exposing a portion of the shield, a portion of the conductorjacket and the center conductor of each such cable.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 including the steps of organizing the one or more coaxial cablesusing a rake and attaching the one or more coaxial cables to theflexible carrier using a strip of nonconductive adhesive materialbetween the center conductor of each coaxial cable and the flexiblecarrier.
 4. The method of claim 3 further including the step ofproviding a positioning pin on the base plate and an aperture in theprinted circuit board such that the printed circuit board can be placedover the base plate with a high degree of accuracy.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 further including the step of providing an aperture in theflexible carrier so that the flexible carrier can be placed over theprinted circuit board on the base plate such that the center conductorsof the one or more coaxial cables are accurately placed over the metaltraces in the printed circuit board.
 6. The method of claim 5 furtherincluding the steps of providing a rigid beam and mounting said rigidbeam over the flexible carrier such that the rigid beam provides aconstant force that maintains a connection between the metal traces andthe center conductors of each of the one or more coaxial cables.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 further wherein the shields of the coaxial cables areelectrically conductive, the shields can carry a signal separate fromthe center conductors and the shields are electrically connected to theflexible carrier, which conducts a signal to the base plate, oralternatively to the shield contact beam.
 8. A method for connecting aplurality of coaxial cables to a printed circuit board comprising thesteps of stripping the plurality of coaxial cables, providing a flexiblecarrier, bonding the plurality of coaxial cables to the flexiblecarrier, providing a printed circuit board and attaching the coaxialcables to the printed circuit board, providing a first rigid elementadjacent the printed circuit board, providing a second rigid elementadjacent the printed circuit board and to the opposite side of the firstrigid element, pressing second rigid element down onto the plurality ofcoaxial cables, onto the printed circuit board, and onto the first rigidelement such that electrical contact is obtained thereby.
 9. The methodof claim 8 wherein the center conductors of the coaxial cables areattached to the flexible carrier using an electrically nonconductiveadhesive.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the shields of the coaxialcables are attached to the flexible carrier using a conductive material.11. The method of claim 10 wherein the printed circuit board and theflexible carrier each include an alignment aperture that such that thecenter conductors mounted on the flexible carrier align substantiallywith the traces on the printed circuit board, said alignment aperturesbeing mounted over a positioning pin on the base plate.
 12. The methodof claim 11 wherein the base plate and the rigid beam are connectedusing a fastener assembly.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the baseplate has a longitudinally extending channel having an elastic elementsituated in the channel such that when the printed circuit board ismounted on the base plate the elastic element provides continuous upwardpressure on the printed circuit board.
 14. The method of claim 13including the step of bonding the plurality of coaxial cables directlyto an electrically nonconductive beam and the beam attaches to theprinted circuit board and base plate.
 15. A method for connecting one ormore coaxial cables to a printed circuit board comprising the steps ofstripping one or more coaxial cables, said coaxial cable stripping stepincluding the steps of stripping the one or more coaxial cables andexposing a portion of the shield, a portion of the conductor jacket andthe center conductor of each such cable, providing a flexible carrier,attaching the center conductor of each of the one or more of the coaxialcables to the flexible carrier using an adhesive, providing a conductivebase plate having a positioning pin, providing a printed circuit board,mounting the printed circuit board over the base plate, and attachingthe flexible carrier to the printed circuit board.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 including, prior to said printed circuit board mounting step,the step of providing a positioning pin on the base plate and anaperture in the printed circuit board such that the printed circuitboard can be accurately placed over the base plate.
 17. The method ofclaim 16 including, prior to said flexible carrier attachment step, thestep of providing an aperture in the flexible carrier so that theflexible carrier can be placed over the printed circuit board on thebase plate such that the center conductors of the one or more coaxialcables are accurately placed over the metal traces in the printedcircuit board.
 18. The method of claim 17 further including the steps ofproviding a rigid beam and mounting said rigid beam over the flexiblecarrier such that the rigid beam provides a constant force thatmaintains a connection between the metal traces and the centerconductors of each of the one or more coaxial cables.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the shields of the coaxial cables are electricallyconductive, the shields can carry a signal separate from the centerconductors and the shields are electrically connected to the flexiblecarrier, which conducts a signal to the base plate, or alternatively tothe shield contact beam.
 20. An apparatus for connecting a plurality ofcoaxial cables to a printed circuit board, each coaxial cable beingstripped to expose a central conductor, a central conductor jacket, aconductive shield and an outer nonconductive covering, said apparatuscomprising a flexible carrier having an electrically conductive portionand an electrically nonconductive portion, means for attaching thecentral conductor of each cable to the electrically nonconductiveportion of the flexible carrier and for attaching the shield of eachcable to the electrically conductive portion of the flexible carrier, anelectrically conductive base plate, a printed circuit board having aplurality of electrically conductive traces mounted over and partiallycovering the base plate, wherein the center conductors of the coaxialcables are placed over the metal traces of the printed circuit boardsuch that an electrical contact is obtained thereby, and a rigid beam,said beam being mounted over the flexible carrier such that theelectrical contact between the center conductors of the coaxial cablesand the printed circuit board is maintained.
 21. The apparatus of claim20 wherein a locating pin is provided on the base plate, a locatingaperture is defined within the printed circuit board and a locatingaperture is defined within the flexible carrier such that the centerconductors of the coaxial cables are located on top of the metal tracesof the printed circuit board.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein anelectrical continuum is created between the coaxial cable shields, theflexible carrier using a conductive material, the rigid beam which isconnected to the base plate, and the printed circuit board.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein the insulating layer of the flexiblecarrier is omitted and replaced by an electrically nonconductiveadhesive, which attaches the center conductors of the coaxial cable tothe flexible carrier.
 24. An apparatus for connecting a plurality ofcoaxial cables to a printed circuit board comprising a flexible carrierhaving an electrically conductive area and a non-electrically conductivearea, at least one coaxial cable being stripped to expose a centerconductor, a center conductor jacket, and a shield having the centerconductor attached to the electrically nonconductive area of theflexible carrier and the shield attached to the electrically conductivearea of the flexible carrier, an electrically conductive base plate, aprinted circuit board having a plurality of electrically conductivetraces mounted over and partially covering the base plate, wherein thecenter conductors of the coaxial cables are placed over the metal tracesof the printed circuit board such that an electrical contact isobtained, and a rigid beam having a top and a bottom is mounted overthat portion of the flexible carrier that is attached to the centerconductors of the coaxial cables such that the electrical contactbetween the center conductors of the coaxial cables and the printedcircuit board, the flexible carrier is then typically bent back and overonto itself and attached to the top of the rigid beam.
 25. The apparatusof claim 24 wherein a locating pin is provided on the base plate and alocating aperture is provided in each of the printed circuit board andthe flexible carrier such that the center conductors of the coaxialcables are situated substantially on top of the metal traces of theprinted circuit board.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein theelectrical signals from the shields are carried on one side of theprinted circuit board by attaching the shields to the flexible carrierusing a conductive material, the signal is then relayed to the rigidbeam which is connected to the base plate using bolts, which in turntransmit the electric signal to the printed circuit board.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 26 wherein the insulating layer of the flexiblecarrier is omitted and replaced by an electrically nonconductiveadhesive, which adhesive attaches the center conductors of the coaxialcable to the flexible carrier.